Yikes, you've just opened Pandora's box -- check the archives, you'll see folks recommend everything from slugs to bird shot.

Rjeezie

December 14, 2010, 03:19 PM

Yeah I know. I'm really just trying to get more familiar with the difference in the different kinds of shells in general. I'm new to shotguns, so I don't know much about the different kinds.

zippy13

December 14, 2010, 03:57 PM

Typically, HD ammo discussions center around two factors: Will the load stop the BD guy, and will the load pose dangers from over-penetration. Obviously, your particular environment has a great deal to do with your ammo selection. Do you live in a city apartment with children in adjacent bedrooms, or are you an empty nester living in an isolated country home? Should you develop a HD response scenario before you decide upon the appropriate HD gun and ammo? I suspect, there are folks who purchase a tact-cool shotgun for HD before they've really determined if it's appropriate to their environment.

oneounceload

December 14, 2010, 04:12 PM

You'll get responses from birdshot to buckshot, with the majority consensus being to use one of the flavors of buckshot for penetration

Rjeezie

December 14, 2010, 04:20 PM

Typically, HD ammo discussions center around two factors: Will the load stop the BD guy, and will the load pose dangers from over-penetration. Obviously, your particular environment has a great deal to do with your ammo selection. Do you live in a city apartment with children in adjacent bedrooms, or are you an empty nester living in an isolated country home? Should you develop a HD response scenario before you decide upon the appropriate HD gun and ammo? I suspect, there are folks who purchase a tact-cool shotgun for HD before they've really determined if it's appropriate to their environment.

Yeah, we live in a neighborhood, somewhat isolated and secluded with no children. Just me and the wife.

You'll get responses from birdshot to buckshot, with the majority consensus being to use one of the flavors of buckshot for penetration

Thanks. How does "OZ Shot", "Shot size", and "velocity" come into the equation on deciding?

markj

December 14, 2010, 04:35 PM

Just wondering what people use for their Home Defense ammo?

Shotgun shells in 12 ga. I prefer 00 buck but have been known to use copper plated 2 shot for geese it hammers them and at close distance it will put a hurtin on a body.

zippy13

December 14, 2010, 04:40 PM

How does "OZ Shot", "Shot size", and "velocity" come into the equation on deciding?
Since you seem to be in a buck shot HD environment, most folks get a typical Mil/LE OO-Buck antipersonnel load. They don't seem to worry about the weight and velocity. However, some prefer the newer light recoil OO-Buck loads.

With OO-Buck loads, you'll find they typically state the number of individual pellets (or balls); but, with smaller bird shot, it will be listed as the shot charge in ounces. To get an idea of the various shot-shell loadings and their typical uses, check out any of the web sites of the major shot-shell manufacturers.

Rjeezie

December 14, 2010, 06:59 PM

Ok. Thanks

markj

December 15, 2010, 05:19 PM

OZ shot is how much shot in a weight measure the shell has.

Shot size is the diameter of the shot 8 is smaller than 6, 6 is smaller than 4 etc.

I also like to use a 3 in mag with 1 1/4 oz (oz shot) of copper plated number 2 it knocks geese out of the air and at 10 ft or so it will put a hurtin on anything I shoot with it.

oneounceload

December 15, 2010, 07:13 PM

I shoot 99% targets and birds, so MY preferred shot size is either 7-1/2 or 8 - both small. For HD, buck shot is much larger - as mentioned, the larger the number, the smaller the shot. Small pellets give you massive surface wounds but may not penetrate like larger buckshot.

Velocity is nice, but the difference at HD ranges between 1100 and 1400 fps isn't that much; however the recoil CAN be somewhat distracting in a high-stress situation.

Stevie-Ray

December 15, 2010, 07:25 PM

Looks like I'll be using 00 Buck for my new SPX, as it can be had in standard Win or Rem. Just bought a bunch of different loads to see what works well with it and I'll find out after Christmas. Got Rem and Win 2.75" 00 buck, Rem #4 buck, and Fed Game and Target #7.5, just because it was cheap and I wanted to see if it would work. Looked in vain for some #1 buck.:( Maybe some day.